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Karen Betts' ambition to make every woman aware of medical tattooing has gained a new celebrity voice.

Using medical tattooing to help women who are living with the visible effects of cancer is an issue that has been close to Karen Betts' heart ever since a childhood friend was diagnosed with breast cancer. Witnessing her friend lose her eyebrows and other physical features inspired her to train in permanent makeup. And now, many years later, Karen has helped Coronation Street actress Sally Whittaker regain control of her appearance.

Sally Whittaker discovered she had cancer after her Coronation Street character developed the disease in the soap opera's plot. The storyline prompted her to check her own breasts and she found a lump. The 46-year-old says her Corrie role may even have saved her life as the early diagnosis means she has a good chance of recovery.

Six months after being diagnosed with breast cancer Sally decided she would not let chemotherapy dictate her appearance, and made an appointment to see Karen Betts when she heard about her reputation as a paramedical permanent makeup expert. After her first consultation she chose to have an eyebrow procedure the very same day.

Sally said, "I was shocked by how much the chemotherapy changed the way I look. It really undermined my self-confidence. So having the eyebrow procedure done really made a big difference to how I was feelingit gave my psychological well-being a real boost. Karen Betts is a very gifted person with a lovely, warm personality and I would recommend her to anyone. In fact, I'm going back to her very soon to have the eyeliner done. I'm addicted now!"

Karen Betts has worked with women affected by cancer for many years and her company, Nouveau Contour, is considered to be a leading light in paramedical tattooing.

Using the very latest technology, Karen and her team use their highly honed skills to conduct pain-free nipple areola reconstruction and realistic 3D eyebrows and subtle eyeliner. The results help women to minimise the visual side effects of chemotherapy, and to feel good about themselves again.

As well as the actual paramedical work she performs, Karen works tirelessly to raise awareness of how, with the help of permanent cosmetics, chemotherapy doesn't mean that people have to lose control of how they look.

However it's a message that needs many more voices as there are still a large percentage of women living with visible effects of cancer who are unaware of how permanent make-up can help them.

You can find out more at www.karenbetts.co.uk.